Wairarapa Midweek Wed 2nd November 2022

Empowering

Wairarapa’s own ‘Goodfellas’

Erin Kavanagh-Hall erin.kavanagh-hall@age.co.nz

Suave “mobster” suits and classic cars, a witty and “quotable” script, 30 litres of fake blood, and cameos from some famous voices: A group of young Wairarapa filmmakers are bringing the gritty and sometimes glamorous world of organised crime to the big screen.

This weekend, Regent 3 Cinemas in Masterton will host the debut screening of Sons and Heirs – a 40-minute short film written, directed by and starring a team of Kuranui College students, and shot on location throughout the region.

Sons and Heirs, based on a short story by Year 13

To realise his vision, Tomás joined forces with close friends and fellow cinephiles Ārana Edmonds, Leon Eldred, Carter ElwinPepperell, Jackson Harbers and Benjamin Rayner – who took charge of scriptwriting, art direction and costuming, casting, practical effects and post-production.

The boys also took the lead in bankrolling the production, applying for and receiving grants from South Wairarapa District Council [SWDC] and various community organisations.

To stay within the budget, the crew shot the entire movie on a humble smartphone –Tomás’ iPhone 11X.

Though the friends have made several short films

Continued on page 3

student Tomás Bale, is set in Wairarapa during the Great Depression and tells the story of two brothers drawn into

illicit alcohol production – with gory consequences, made possible with some creative practical effects.

Kuranui College students and writers, directors and stars of Sons and Heirs – Leon Eldred, Jackson Harbers, ˜rana Edmonds, Tomás Bale and Carter Elwin-Pepperell.

PHOTO/ ERIN KAVANAGH - HALL

‘mobsters’ on screen

together, Sons and Heirs is their “biggest group effort” so far – influenced by an interest in the Prohibition era, love for 1930s fashions, and Martin Scorcese’s Goodfellas.

Tomás said the boys were inspired to produce Sons and Heirs after their film-making classes at Kuranui were unable to go ahead – so they decided to take matters into their own hands.

“We were gutted – but we were also feeling a bit bored and like we needed a new project,” he said.

“We thought, ‘oh well, let’s just go for it and see what happens.’

“Making a movie was a stressful experience, but it was a lot of fun – and we’re excited to see what it looks like on the screen.

“We had a lot of amazing support from people in the community. We’ve definitely learned that if you ask, people will be keen to help out.”

Tomás said he and his friends have dabbled in film-making since starting

at Kuranui, making “fourminute shorts” inspired by the works of Scorcese and Quentin Tarantino, classic horror flicks, and “all the good 80s movies”, like the Rocky franchise and The Karate Kid.

They began work on Sons and Heirs last year, galvanised by learning about prohibition in Wairarapa – specifically, the Masterton district going “dry” in 1909 after a campaign by the

temperance movement.

“It’s something you don’t hear much about in the classroom,” screenwriter and producer Ārana said.

“People know about prohibition in Chicago, for example, but not that alcohol was banned in Masterton.”

The crew, under Ārana’s leadership, was able to raise $6,400 towards the film: With contributions from SWDC’s Creative Communities Scheme,

Featherston’s Own Charitable Trust, South Wairarapa Rotary, and the Ngāti Tuwharetoa Trust [Ārana’s iwi], as well as donations from friends and family.

Funding mostly went towards equipment, transport, costuming [mostly sourced from second-hand stores], and renting era-appropriate cars.

Ārana said a large portion of the funding

went towards the practical effects – including 30 litres of fake blood, which he made himself using glucose syrup, hot water, red food colouring and cocoa.

The boys also sourced an air compressor to create the illusion of blood splatter, and made “fake arms and legs” using cardboard and duct tape.

Filming took place over three months in various Wairarapa locations –including Queen Elizabeth Park, Cobblestones Museum, and heritage buildings in Carterton –featuring a cast of six leads and 11 extras.

The boys said the shooting process was hectic at times – especially with having to squeeze in as much filming as possible in the afternoons before it got dark – and involved “a lot of organising”.

“We had one scene organised with a whole load of extras – but only half of them showed up,” Tomás said.

“That was a bit stressful. But the people who did show up did really well.”

Editing and postproduction took a further four weeks, and included incorporating an original score by fellow Kuranui students Caleb Drinnan and Michael McCaul.

One of the biggest coups for the boys was negotiating cameo appearances from ACT Party Leader David Seymour, political journalist Patrick Gower, and historian Paul Moon, who all lent their voices as narrators.

“They were really cool to work with,” Ārana said.

“Paul Moon just told us to put something in the movie saying that it’s inspired by true events –as we’ve made some slight alterations with history!”

Tomás said the crew hoped their audience would enjoy Sons and Heirs for its “cool cinematography, gory but believable effects, and quotable lines”.

• Sons and Heirs will screen on Saturday, November 5 at 5pm, at Regent3 Cinemas. Entry is free.

Centennial celebrations for local institution

For 101 years, the Kahutara Hall has been a fixture of the small South Wairarapa town: Housing everything from weddings, to club meetings, to children’s playgroups, to popular dances and Christmas parties.

Next week, the Kahutara community will be hosting two events to celebrate the hall’s centenary –including the launch of a new book detailing its auspicious history.

Celebrations, organised by the Kahutara Hall committee, will kick off next Friday afternoon with a high tea, featuring a welcoming address from South Wairarapa mayor Martin Connelly and entertainment provided by the Featherston Gentlemen Singers.

A 1920s dress-up ball will be held the next evening, with music from

The Shenanigans and a catered supper.

Also marking the occasion will be the release of Kahutara Hall Celebrates 101 Years – a local history compiled by

Greytown locals Viv Green and Anne Hayden, which chronicles the story of the hall and the hard-working rural community that has ensured its survival over the decades.

Copies of the book will

be available to purchase at both events.

The Kahutara Hall started life as part of the Soldiers’ Club building at the Featherston Military Training Camp – and was bought from the camp

by a delegation from the Kahutara community in 1921.

The hall has had various uses throughout the century: Hosting events, meetings, school and church gatherings, wedding receptions and pot-luck dinners to welcome new families to the district.

It has also been the headquarters for countless community groups –including the Kahutara Playgroup, founded in the early 80s and still going strong today – and has been maintained and renovated over the years thanks to local labour and community working bees.

Events organiser Janine Hall said next weekend’s 101st birthday celebrations will be “third time lucky” for the Kahutara Hall committee – with two previous events

cancelled thanks to covid restrictions.

The committee hoped both “current and past residents” of Kahutara, as well as the wider Wairarapa community, would join in the celebrations.

• Tickets for the high tea event, held on Friday, November 11, from 2pm-4pm, are $30. To book, contact kahutaraparent andcitizens1@gmail. com. The 1920s ball will be held from 7pm on Saturday, November 12. Tickets are on sale for $75 –contact kahutara100@ gmail.com to book. To pre-order a copy of Kahutara Hall Celebrates 101 Years, contact Viv Green at roto.farm@xtra.co.nz.

Wellington-based band

The Kahutara Hall will be hosting two events to celebrate its centenary next weekend.

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The cast and crew of Sons and Heirs on set – with a classic car.

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Plenty of great barn yarns at reading festival

A love of reading and stories is alive and well in Wairarapa, with book lovers turning out in droves to attend Yarns in Barns: Wairarapa Festival of Reading, held over 10 days last month.

Twenty-four New Zealand authors, specialising in everything from plantbased cooking, to comedy, to children’s fiction, to Wairarapa coastal history, appeared in 19 events across the region.

The biennial event was hosted by festival organisers Hedley’s Books, Fraser Books, Masterton District Library and Wairarapa Library Service.

Photographer ANNA HEDLEY called in.

Kiwi comedian and actor Chris Parker [front left] was the keynote speaker at the Yarns in Barns opening night – reading from his new book Here for a Good Time. With Steve Trotman [left], Charlotte Algie, Nick Holm [moderator], David Hedley and AnnaLouise Hedley.

Cookbook authors Margo [left] and Rosa Flanagan, also known as Two Raw Sisters, with moderator Carissa Fairbrother at Carterton Event Centre.

Poet, writer and fifth-generation farmer Tim Saunders [third from left] performing with his band The Rouseabouts at Strang’s Woolshed in Gladstone.

Black Stick Dane Lett [left] launched Masterton author Paul Adamson’s book Get Outdoors at Wairarapa Hunting and Fishing, Masterton.

Children’s author and illustrator Donovan Bixley signing books for young fans at Masterton District Library.

Chris Long, author of The Boy from Gorge River, addressing the crowd at Strang’s Woolshed.

Masterton author Diane Grant, with publisher husband Ian F. Grant, at the launch of her book South of Martinborough at the Waihinga Martinborough Community Centre.

Author and columnist Emily Writes reading from her book Needs Adult Supervision, with moderator Claire Terry, at the Greytown Town Centre.

Festival explores region on foot

HELEN HOLT helen.holt@age.co.nz

From the Putangirua Pinnacles to the Ruakōkoputuna Chasm, the 2022 Wairarapa Walking festival won’t be short of iconic locations around the region.

The 10-day festival will kick off next Friday –featuring more than 30 different walks around the region, and showcasing featuring flora, fauna, farmland, coastlines and rich cultural history. There will also be a chance to grab a wine or two.

The festival, held for the first time in March last year, celebrates all kinds of walking: discovering cultural and heritage sites, with wheels, at the coast, up a hill, or around urban environments. Last year the event was confined to walks around Carterton, but this year includes walks from all over the region, from Featherston to Castlepoint.

The Tararua Tramping Club will lead a four-hour loop to the Putangirua Pinnacles, featuring unique rock formations on Wairarapa’s southern coastline, made famous by the Lord of the Rings film franchise.

The Ruakōkoputuna Chasm Walk, just out of Martinborough, is another geological feature to

explore – with limestone rock formations, fossils, wildlife, and a waterfall.

A visit to the awardwinning Kawaiwai Dairies in Featherston will test your farming knowledge, and show some insights into progressive farming.

All festival events will be accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and there will also be child-friendly paths specifically for families. The native forest of Fensham Reserve will also be offering a guided sensory walk, where preschoolers can explore with their eyes, ears, noses and mouths.

The festival is the brainchild of former Wellington Mayor and Green Party member Celia Wade-Brown. It is supported by Carterton District Council’s Walking

and Cycling Advisory Group.

Wade-Brown said it was exciting to showcase “some of the region’s best-known walks, and a few gems”.

The Wairarapa Walking Festival kicks off on Friday, November 11, at various tracks across Wairarapa.

There will be three walks on Saturday, November 12 at Rewanui Forest Park [on the way to Castlepoint], all free to attend. There will be a free bus from Masterton that day for up to 40 passengers to and from Rewanui. It will depart Tranzit Masterton at 9.15 am, and leave Rewanui at 3.30 pm.

The Whareama Coastal Walk, Greytown Stars, and Featherston Heritage walks are already sold out.

On your maaarks ...

Crowds gather to cheer on the four-legged participants in the sheep races at this year’s Wairarapa A&P – held at Clareville Showgrounds from October 28-30.

The iconic event,

previously cancelled two years’ running thanks to covid, drew record crowds – with 10,000 attending on Saturday alone. Organiser Sue Rayner said the event was “absolutely chocker”, attracting

people from all over the region and beyond.

The show featured a range of activities for people of all ages: From scavenger hunts to lawnmower racing, carnival rides, pets, and trade exhibitions.

The Rewanui Forest Park, near Castlepoint - the location for one of the free walks in the Wairarapa Walking Festival. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

PHOTO/JADE CVETKOV

I’ve done my part

Coral Aitchison [Letters, Midweek, October 5] suggests I should take responsibility for contributing to Wairarapa having the highest covid death rate per capita in New Zealand.

Coral refers to an article in the Times-Age, “We have the deadliest stats”, dated August 20, 2022.

This article quotes Professor Rod Jackson as saying, “an ageing population was a major contributing factor”.

He also says, “Because covid deaths were reported with a 5 per cent margin of error, the statistics should be taken with a grain of salt. If the number of deaths per 100,000 is 70, the correct number could be anywhere between 50 and 100”.

The article states there is no statistically significant

variation in covid-19 mortality rates at a district level.

This headline does not represent the article’s content – so creates false fear, as Coral experienced.

In early 2020, I was also fearful this virus could kill me. International research convinced me that, as Professor Jackson quoted, “we need to prime our immune systems to protect from covid”.

So, I chose a natural health protocol to prime my immune system. I declined the vaccine, have not caught covid, and joined the international SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Control Group as my contribution to humanity.

I won’t take responsibility for high death rates in Wairarapa.

I will take responsibility for advocating health choices to prime our immune systems, as Professor Jackson suggests.

Jill Greathead, Carterton

Rebel wraps rewarded

A seasoned Wairarapa bakery has taken out the Health and Wellbeing title at the 2022 New Zealand Food Awards.

Breadcraft received the award – presented at a gala dinner in Palmerston North on October 13 – for its Rebel Bakehouse glutenfree sourdough and super seeds wraps.

Its Rebel Bakehouse low-carb max bagels were also a finalist in the Health and Wellbeing category, and the wraps were also in the running for the Pantry award.

Breadcraft launched its Rebel Bakehouse line in 2019, with a focus on creating more nutrient-

dense and sustainable bread products – and now has an 80 per cent share of New Zealand’s gluten-free wrap market.

Breadcraft general manager Mike Fisher said the launch of its Rebel Bakehouse wraps and bagels was “a team effort”.

“Being selected as finalists and, ultimately, as a winner has given the team a serious boost.

“We’re really proud of how the team has come together to create top-ofthe-range products our consumers keep coming back for. From recipe development, production, financials, consumer insights, branding, and pack design to a great sales effort and getting the product to market as fresh

as possible, the team have outdone themselves”.

Fisher said gluten-free diets were often labelled as “boring” – so his team were passionate about creating products that are as delicious as they are healthful.

“Using chia, poppy seeds and red quinoa, we have taken our original glutenfree wraps to another level.

“As the health and wellbeing categories continue to grow, we plan to keep innovating and developing new products packed with goodness and, most importantly, packed with taste.”

Since it was established in Masterton in 1942, Breadcraft hasn’t shied away from innovation – as one of the first bakeries to

bring artisan Europeanstyle loaves, such as ciabatta and sourdough, to New Zealand.

It also uses a unique 80-year-old sourdough starter bug that came all the way from San Francisco.

Rebel Bakehouse gluten-free products are independently tested and meet New Zealand and Australian standards –some of the strictest glutenfree requirements in the world – and are available at supermarkets across New Zealand.

Twelve major prizes were presented at this year’s Food Awards – including the Supreme Award, which went to Canterbury-based Poaka Artisan Cured Meats for its chorizo salami.

Breadcraft takes the Health and Wellbeing award at the New Zealand Food Awards.

PHOTO/DAVID WILTSHIRE

HELEN HOLT helen.holt@age.co.nz

Boost for foodbanks

Wairarapa Building Society [WBS] visited each of the region’s four foodbanks last month – bearing a donation of $2000 worth of pantry staples to help whānau “struggling to make ends meet”.

WBS has made donations to 40 community groups as part of its annual Community Funding Round: Which included $8000 for the Wairarapa foodbanks, shared evenly between the Masterton, Carterton, Featherston and Martinborough organisations.

WBS’ donation helped “provide a much-needed boost to the foodbanks’ shelves” – funding a range of food items, provided at a discounted rate by Masterton and Carterton New World, P&K Martinborough, and SuperValue Featherston. All four foodbanks have reported a significant increase in demand for food parcels, thanks in large part to covid-19 and the rising cost of living.

For example, by the end of May this year, the Featherston Foodbank had given out the same number of food parcels it had distributed for the whole of 2021.

“Given that 2021 was a record year, the ever-

increasing need in the community is evident, with similar statistics repeated by each foodbank,” WBS chief executive Jennie Mitchell said.

“Now more than ever, our communities need extra help – and this is just one of the ways WBS continues to give back to the region.”

WBS’ 2022 Community Funding Round saw $67,000 provided to various community projects: Funding, among other things, new shade equipment for the Cancer Society’s shade loan programme, trapping equipment for environmental groups, kitchen utensils for

community cooking classes, a defibrillator, and community exhibition costs.

Mitchell acknowledged the invaluable work of volunteers – noting that many of the applications to the funding round reflected “the significant need in the community”.

“There are so many incredible people who volunteer their time to keep these community groups going,” she said.

“Services such as the foodbanks simply couldn’t operate without volunteers.”

Martinborough Foodbank coordinator May Croft said all support from the community,

including organisations like WBS, was “very much appreciated”.

“It’s such an encouragement to both the clients and to the volunteers to know we are part of an extended community that cares about what happens for those who are struggling to make ends meet,” she said.

Featherston Foodbank coordinators Erin McBride and Elaine Corlett said they were “incredibly grateful” for WBS’ donation – as well as the regular donations from WaiWaste Food Rescue, local businesses and farmers, and the wider community.

Santa Claus is coming to Carterton

After a covid-induced hiatus, one of Carterton’s most iconic end-of-year celebrations is back on the calendar.

The 2022 Carterton Rotary Christmas Parade will kick off at the end of this month –featuring floats, stalls, live entertainment and, of course, an appearance from Father Christmas.

Entries are now open for the float competition, with prizes available in two categories: Business and Non-Business [open to families, schools, churches and any community groups].

There will also be a window-dressing competition for Carterton retailers, with prizes for the most festive and eyecatching decorations.

• The parade will begin on Belvedere Rd on Saturday, November 26, at 1pm, with a prizegiving and live music at Carrington Park afterwards. Entry for floats is free. For more information, or to enter a float, contact Coral Aitchison on 06 379 5926, or via email at coralnz@xtra.co.nz.

Entries are now open for floats for the 2022 Carterton Rotary Christmas Parade.

PHOTO/JADE CVETKOV

Masterton Foodbank manager Jenna Matchett [left] receives a donation of pantry staples from WBS chief executive Jennie Mitchell and Stephen Robinson and Kishan Dhiman from Masterton New World.

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Carterton

Choices for disabled Kiwis

A Wairarapa charitable trust and national social enterprise are joining forces to help “enable good lives” for disabled people and their whānau.

This month, whānau-led disability collective Good Lives Wairarapa will be hosting a workshop at Carterton Events Centre – designed to support Wairarapa locals with disabilities, and their loved ones, to access Individualised Funding [IF] services.

IF allows individuals to manage their own disability support funding, giving them choice and control over which support services they receive, and who provides them –allowing more flexibility and autonomy.

The workshop will be facilitated by Manawanui, New Zealand’s largest provider of disability funding support – with staff on hand to share their knowledge of the disability sector, what funding options are available, and how to get the best out of these resources.

Good Lives Wairarapa founders Anita Nicholls and Chris Hollis, based in Carterton, have been using IF to support their 25-yearson James, who has fragile X syndrome and autism, for the past 15 months.

Anita and Chris said

James had previously been living away from home and attending a day programme – but went through a “difficult few months” after moving back into his parents’ care and readjusting to a new routine in Wairarapa.

Receiving IF, his parents were able to hire local support workers, who helped “get him out and about in the community”. With their support, James joined the gym and became a regular at spin classes, explored cafés and sushi bars, learnt to bake bread and did capentry at Menzshed Carterton.

James is now “thriving”: Working with his Dad on the family farm, becoming “a well-known face about town”, and starting a new community enterprise with his support worker, collecting coffee grounds from cafés and supplying them to community gardens to use as fertiliser.

“Being able to use IF was life-changing for James,” Anita said.

“We got him back from a very unhappy dark place by being able to provide him with the support he needed.

“The old sociable James has now returned – to the extent that he and his support workers hosted his friends at a carnival on the farm where he designed

and helped construct all the games.”

Simon Anderson, project manager for Manawanui, said the Carterton workshop would specialise in “self-directed funding” – allowing disabled people and their families decision - making power over their support services.

The workshop would explore topics such as how disability funding in New Zealand works, the role of family members in supporting disabled loved ones, how to find and engage with support workers, legal obligations,

and claiming funding money.

“Disability Funding is complex and always changing – and many people find themselves struggling to know how it all works,” Anderson said.

“Our workshops are open to families, community organisations, schools, religious groups, or any member of the public who wants to learn how the disability funding process works, and how providers like Manawanui can help.”

Good Lives Wairarapa was set up last year to empower disabled people

to participate more fully in their communities – by expanding opportunities in education, employment, sport, and creativity –and to improve disability services and long-term life outcomes in the region.

• The Individualised Funding workshop will be held on Tuesday, November 15, from 10am to 2pm, at Carterton Events Centre. For catering purposes, please register your attendance at www.manawanui. org.nz – click on the “Events” tab.

For James Hollis [left], Individualised Funding has opened up many new possibilities– including learning carpentry at Menzshed Carterton.

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

WITH KATE CAMP

Opinion

Attention deÿ cit? Look at the system

Thomas Jefferson, third United States president, was … complex to say the least. But he may have been onto something when he said “if a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so.”

This quote brings to mind Dr Tony Hanne – the Auckland GP convicted for incorrectly prescribing ADHD medication.

To recap: Dr Hanne was reported to the Medical Council for having prescribed stimulant therapies, such as Ritalin, for hundreds of patients – without the recommendation of a psychiatrist.

This is a breach of the Medicines Act, which classifies stimulant medications as a Class B substance. Which can only be administered with a “special authority”, issued with a psychiatrist’s sign-off.

In October [International ADHD Awareness Month – poignant], Dr Hanne was convicted of professional misconduct by the Medical Disciplinary Tribunal.

Dr Hanne knew he was acting illegally – but he did so because his patients were facing significant

barriers to receiving diagnosis and treatment.

I don’t condone breaking the law, Wairarapa. But as a member of Aotearoa’s ADHD community, this case hurts.

I received my diagnosis in 2020, a month shy of my 36th birthday. For me, ADHD is like living with an internal symphony orchestra – without a conductor. A lot of unfocused noise. Such a cacophonous racket

was not conducive to concentration, executive function, and performing basic tasks without heading for burn-out. So, I sought help from a private specialist and began taking medication.

I was one of the lucky ones.

An estimated 1 in 20 New Zealanders have ADHD. However, recent research from ADHD New Zealand found over 80 per cent of adults surveyed have

struggled to access support.

In Aotearoa, specialist services for ADHD are scarce. Very few psychiatrists within the public system specialise in neurodiversity. Public mental health services that do provide diagnostic services for adults come with wait times of at least nine to 12 months. Private psychiatrists can charge upwards of $1500.

And, if you are diagnosed and prescribed stimulants, your special authority needs to be renewed by a psychiatrist every two years. Creating further financial stressors.

Untreated ADHD can be debilitating – and research has revealed grim outcomes for those of us who go undiagnosed.

People with undiagnosed ADHD are four times more likely to be involved in traffic accidents, 11 times more likely to be unemployed, and 20 times more likely to spend time in prison. Rates of substance abuse are almost double that of our neurotypical counterparts. We are four times more likely to attempt suicide.

For Kiwis with ADHD, access to medication is literally life-saving. And

yet, the resources are either unavailable, fraught with red tape, or priced out of their reach. People are desperate for help – so are we really surprised a doctor was prepared to bend the rules to throw his patients a lifeline?

There are changes afoot. Back in September, the government committed to investigating “sweeping changes” to ADHD care: Including improved access to medicines, building a consistent service model, and more education for healthcare workers.

“Investigating” is a good start – and it’ll be interesting to see if this results in meaningful action. Tony Hanne’s story has raised awareness of the crisis facing our community – and we can only hope it’s enough of a wake-up call to expedite change.

Convicting one man of misconduct isn’t going to fix anything. We need a health system that works for us – and we needed it yesterday. Having my ADHD diagnosed and treated has opened up a whole new world. For my ADHD siblings struggling to be heard – I hope that day is coming for you.

Feeling a little isolated?

Feeling a little isolated?

with your hearing?

with your

Feeling a little isolated?

with your hearing?

discreet hearing

One of our modern hearing aids, showing it ‘outside the ear’ and ‘in place’.

One of our modern hearing aids, showing it ‘outside the ear’ and ‘in place’.

Take back your quality of life

Take back your quality of life

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Upper Hutt

Upper

adults

Free 6-week trial (conditions

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Centre

Carterton Medical Centre

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Street South

Erin

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STREET TALK

In five years’ time, I think I will be...

Janine Cardno

Getting a house bus and travelling around New Zealand.

Margaret Mcnaughton

Happy and humble and enjoying life with my kids.

Deb Bailey

Retired and not working.

Catherine RowePenny Older and possibly wiser.

Jean Cretney

Beyond the sunset.

Graeme Burnard

The UK Prime Minister. They will be looking in the colonies by then.

Christina Schofield Happy.

Carol Manson

Still enjoying life.

Richard Alan Dahlberg

A distant memory.

Damian Matthew Hall

Eating fresh lobster in Monaco at our new mansion – or here in Masterton still doing creative stuff. Don’t mind either way.

Rosemary Rayner

Hopefully still walking this planet.

Debbie Flannery

Five years older – I hope!

MIDWEEK PHOTOS

Have you got a photo you want to share with Wairarapa?

Whether it’s a reader photo, a cutie, or a snap of you with your Midweek, email it to midweek@age.co.nz with ‘Midweek Photo’ in the subject line, and it could be featured in this segment.

CUTIE OF THE WEEK

CONTACT US

You may share your opinion in print and online. To comment online, message our Facebook page and feel free to comment on any of the stories. Please email letters to midweek@age.co.nz or post to Wairarapa Midweek letters, P.O. Box 445, Masterton. Include name, address, and phone number. Noms de plume are not accepted. Letter writers’ town of origin will be published with the letter. Letters should be no more than 250 words, and may be edited for space and clarity.

Masterton local Margaret McNaughton sent in this adorable photo of her “wee cheeky chappy” Alex, who turned seven last month.

Margaret says Alex loves school, reading books, going to the movies, and playing on his tablet – which he bought with his own pocket money. He is “a great little saver” – and currently has $52 in the bank.

fHappy belated birthday, Alex!

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

PHOTO/ADOBE.STOCK.COM

Extra

Drinking bowl is fit for a king

We have some fantastically curious objects in the Masterton Museum: Cabinet of Curiosities. This is the Drinking Bowl of King Kalakawa. But who was he?

King Kalakawa or King Kalākaua of the Hawaiian Kingdom went on a world tour in 1881 in attempt to save the Hawaiian culture and population from extinction by importing

labour from abroad.

The 281-day trip gave Kalākaua the distinction of being the first Monarch to circumnavigate the globe. His tour saw him travel through California, Asia, Egypt, Europe and back through the United States.

However, some people were not impressed with the trip, suggesting King Kalākaua just wanted an excuse to see the

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

Emerging chocolatier goes outside the mould

HELEN HOLT

A Riversdale chocolate maker has been thrust into the national spotlight after winning a coveted national award.

“This is my 10th interview in 24 hours,” Lucid Chocolatier creator Johnty Tatham said. His winning creation Lucid Chocolatier 68 per cent Port took the 2022 title against 150 New Zealand-made chocolates from 31 chocolate-makers judged earlier this month.

Tatham’s winning bar was made with nibs from Maranon cacao beans submerged in a 10-yearold Taylor’s Tawny Port. The judges said the chocolate had outstanding aroma notes and flavour and complexity.

The chocolate also won the Bean-to-Bar Flavoured category and his Bean-toBar Lucid Chocolatier 72 per cent Santiago De Sisa

won the Bean-to-Bar plain category.

The chocolatier also took out 14 medals, seven gold, four silver and three bronze.

Tatham said as a new company, the awards were a welcome stamp of approval.

“To receive praise from people, I don’t think I’ve been more motivated.

“We’re absolutely stoked. We’re already sold out of our chocolate, so we need to increase production.

“I’ve spent two years living by myself; to get this breakthrough is huge.”

The former Whareama School student got his taste for chocolate making in 2019 while living in Auckland.

“I bought the chocolatemaking kit and started trying a few things out.”

The 25-year-old has had a long interest in culinary arts; he wrote a recipe

world. After seeing how lavishly the Monarchy lived abroad, Kalākaua redecorated his palace and spent money excessively.

It is just another curiosity with an intriguing backstory!

• Masterton Museum: Cabinet of Curiosities Showing at Aratoi until July 2023

aged 7, and cooked family meals throughout his youth.

He moved back to his family farm Homewood Farm – south of Riversdale – to start his business in 2020. He’s been working out of the house he grew up in, before the chocolate was put on the market two years ago.

Designing new flavours can be a long process. He said he could spend a lot of time designing a flavour to get the right taste.

“We’ve sold 20 different bars, but made 70 flavours didn’t make the cut. It takes a lot of time, and flavours are dependent on a lot of factors.

“There’s quite a few months of testing, right strength of infusion. For the port flavour, the nibs have to soak in port for over a month. “

He likened the craft chocolate industry to craft beer.

Just a few years ago, there were only a few

big companies, only a few options, but then brewers started taking it into different areas. I saw chocolate was also bending that way, into an emerging business.”

Tatham sought feedback on his business pathway.

“I spoke to chocolate makers about whether there was room for new businesses in this field.

“My godfather is very business savvy, I’ve come to him with all my queries. I’ve been lucky to have a good support network.”

It’s fireworks season and our pets can find it really scary.

Here’s some tips to make fireworks less frightening for our pets:

y Walk your dog during daylight hours.

y Keep dogs, cats, and other small pets indoors when you think fireworks are likely to go off.

y Make sure your pets are always in a safe, secure environment and can’t run away.

y Think about staying home to reassure and comfort your pets.

y Make a ‘safe den’ for your pet in a quiet place in your house where they feel safe and in control.

Get your pets microchipped and ensure they have a registration tag on their collar with your contact details, just in case they do run away.

Johnty Tatham: “To receive praise from people, I don’t think I’ve been more motivated.” PHOTOS/SUPPLIED

New build consents climbing

time when the district council is progressing work on a masterplan for Featherston.

Lifestyle

Emily Ireland emily.ireland@age.co.nz

South Wairarapa’s building boom continues, with the district council smashing records for the number of new residential building consents it issued last financial year.

South Wairarapa District Council issued 164 new residential building consents for the 2021-22 year, a big jump on the year prior [133], which was its previous record for a financial year.

It signals high demand for housing in the district, as well as more land being freed up for subdivision to allow for growth.

Before 2016, the district council had only reached double-digits for the new residential building consents it issued in a financial year.

The boom comes at a

Recent informal consultation with the community showed Featherston residents wanted smaller sections and denser housing options to be available, provided it was done well, so more people could access affordable housing that met their needs.

Currently, the minimum lot size across Featherston is 500 square metres.

The option preferred by the community proposes that general residential sites be sub-dividable down to lots of 300m2.

This will be of help to many property owners who currently have 800-900m2 lots but who cannot subdivide at present.

Medium-density residential area sites would be able to be subdivided down to lots of 200m2, allowing for the likes of townhouses and apartments.

This area roughly covers lots within 400 metres of St Teresa’s School.

This could provide an additional 574 dwellings if 25 per cent of sites are developed.

At last month’s council meeting, elected members agreed that the community’s preferred option – intensification around the existing main street and train station – should go forward for detailed master planning.

A Draft Masterplan would go out for formal consultation in early 2023.

It would guide the town’s future growth over the next 30 years.

At its heart, the Masterplan’s key objectives centre around creating

a vibrant town centre, growth and infrastructure, and protecting what is valued while enabling future intensification and housing choice.

Masterplans for Greytown and Martinborough would also be developed in the coming years.

While South Wairarapa is issuing record levels of new building consents, its neighbours in Masterton and Carterton are falling just shy of their previous records.

Last financial year, Masterton District Council issued 226 new residential building consents, compared to 229 the year prior [highest on record for the district], and Carterton

District Council issued 93 last financial year, compared to 88 the year prior.

Carterton’s biggest year for new residential building consents was 2019-20 when 99 were issued.

In terms of ensuring development is sustainable, the key planning document for all three Wairarapa councils is the Wairarapa Combined District Plan.

A draft plan is set to be released for public consultation this week.

The plan sets out where and how development can take place. – NZLDR Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

The south Wairarapa building boom comes at a time when the district council is progressing work on a masterplan for Featherston.

PHOTO/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

It’s better to raise our own bar

different from what we’re used to. Yes, there will be times in which we will be disappointed, but there will be many more in which our eyes are opened to a wealth of new opportunities that will enrich our lives: Be it Bollywood; a new type of food; a new job; or anything else that’s outside our ideas of what we would usually choose to do.

From this point, I’ll be better

Christmas and New Year carrying on with poor habits; instead, we can make better choices early and hit the ground running positively as we head into a new year.

that there will always be others who are seeking the support they once sought themselves.

Help is out there, we just need to be prepared to take that step towards asking for it.

A theme that seems to be becoming increasingly topical recently has been the dropping of standards generally across a wide range of areas. From the way in which people choose to dress and present themselves, to the increasing number of recruits who are failing the course to become Navy Seals in the United States armed services, there seems to be a lessening in levels compared to those that have been reached in the past.

Rather than becoming upset with this, a better approach is to raise your standards. This is something we can control, the effort that we put in at a personal level. Increasing our standards will potentially do two things: Improve our own opportunities; if we are

doing more to get better, then success should come our way.

Lifting our own standards will impact those around us: our children; our colleagues; our friends. If others see the results of our hard work, then they might choose to do the same, getting better themselves, which will have a positive impact on the people in their circles.

An idea shared by author Sam Harris is one that we can all benefit from. It simply involves taking any point in time, often after doing anything in a sub-standard or poor way, from a conversation with a friend to a task at work, and deciding to do it better.

How Raphael became a great artist Raphael showed real interest as an artist from a very young age. Because of this his father organised an apprenticeship so he could learn the craft. However, at the time in which he was learning there were two of the greatest of all artists, Michaelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, almost at the peak of their abilities.

Essentially life is about choices. We can choose to be frustrated and critical, or we can choose to be better people who will motivate and inspire others to do the same.

I’m not training for anything

On the excellent Modern Wisdom podcast, guest Ryan Holiday shared an idea that I particularly

liked, this being about his running habit. As a runner, he will be asked what he’s training for. The same question has been asked of me many times, as I’m a keen runner myself. Ryan’s response is that he’s not training for anything specific; running is just something he does because he enjoys doing it and it keeps him healthy.

From my own perspective, with the exception of a couple of marathons, I don’t train for anything specific either. I run simply because it is so beneficial for both my physical and mental health.

This applies to all of the

physical exercise I do. Not everything we do in life needs to be done for a specific reason or gain in one area or another. Some things can be done just because we enjoy doing them. No one needs to know that, for example, I enjoy playing the ukulele.

I do it because I like the sound, enjoy learning new songs, and because I find it relaxing. However, it’s very unlikely that I’ll ever be performing in a public concert.

Place yourself in another person’s shoes

I heard an interview today in which an author shared her perspective on the

impact of globalisation from six different perspectives. It wasn’t the most riveting discussion, except for one point, this being the necessity to always be prepared to look at decisions made by others from the perspective of the person, organisation, or even the country, making it.

So often we are only prepared to look at situations from our own eyes, thinking that others should see things in the same light. However, the other party might have completely different needs, values, or pressures that they will be adhering or reacting to. Take, for

example, a decision that a person in a developing country may make that another in a developed country may not feel is adhering to environmental standards, but, when stepping into their shoes, may see that the mere idea of immediate survival takes precedence over the longer view environmental need.

There really are times in which we should cast our judgements aside and instead have more sympathy and understanding as to why decisions we may not agree with have actually been made.

Something different Tonight I watched the film RRR, a Bollywood epic! Normally this type of film wouldn’t interest me at all, but I heard a reviewer I like speak about it in a positive way, so I decided to give it a go.

How lucky I was!

The film is fabulous; so extravagant and over the top, but truly entertaining. Throughout the film so much happened, from crazy dance scenes to totally outrageous action, then a lot of real cheesiness thrown in. I loved it! Sometimes we need to do things that are

This is counter to how we usually operate. Once we’ve started anything, we tend to carry on as we have started. For example, on the countless days in which I’ve been pretty unhealthy with my diet, I’ll usually carry on in the same way throughout the day, even when I’m no longer enjoying the last two or three biscuits in a pack of Toffee Pops. A better approach is to think that from now on I’ll be better, even if there’s half a packet to go. The same idea can be applied as we approach a key date, such as January 1. We don’t have to spend the few days between

Help and support is out there Eddie Jones, the coach of the England rugby team, recently shared how he is a part of a group of successful coaches from across a wide range of sports who regularly meet to discuss issues and ideas. It’s interesting to see that this group isn’t just comprised of rugby coaches; it includes coaches from the English Premier League, the NFL, and the NBA, amongst others. According to Jones, the group discusses anything that any member of the group brings up. He compares the group to Alcoholics Anonymous, with the way in which members support each other.

This is an idea that is replicated in many ways. Countless groups get together to support each other in all manner of things. Some will be cross-disciplinary, whereas others will be with members who are all in the same industry or field. The important thing is that the members are there when needed. Another important factor is that these groups will always be open to new members at any time, with members knowing

Rather than being overwhelmed and intimidated by two of the greats, Raphael instead chose to learn from them. He moved to Florence and studied their works and techniques, and in doing so was able to become a far better painter himself, also considered one of the greats.

Lifestyle Lifestyle

We may not be striving to become great artists, but whatever field we are in there will likely be someone exceptional who we can learn from. It could be a teacher in a school, a teammate in a sports team, or a waiter in a restaurant. Rather than being envious of these people, instead use them as models to develop your skills and ability, to be the best that you can be.

Tim Nelson

Midweek Musings

As Wairarapa continues to develop, it’s important to protect the things we

A District Plan has an impact on almost everything you do across our district, and how you do it. It sets out what activities you can do and what you will need a resource consent for. It controls any adverse effects your activity could have on neighbours and vice versa. The District Plan also protects the uniqueness of our district, by looking after our cultural and historic heritage, our natural environment and indigenous biodiversity. And it gives effect to Government policies such as managing urban development, protecting productive land, providing affordable housing, safeguarding our freshwater sources and helping communities plan for natural hazards and climate change.

Topics of interest

Rural Subdivision

New rural subdivision rules are proposed which protect the use of rural land for productive purposes with some opportunities for rural living.

These include:

•A new Rural Lifestyle Zone.

Require larger minimum lot (property) sizes to protect productive use of rural land.

Protecting Our Historic Heritage

Wairarapa’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage can be found everywhere, including in buildings, trees, sites of archaeological importance, sites of significance to Māori.

What features do you know of which need special protection from inappropriate subdivision, use and development?

What else are we proposing?

Zones

Replacing the current 4 zones with 13 zones to better reflect the different activities undertaken in different areas and align with National Planning Standards.

Climate Change and Resilience

New rules will help Wairarapa to adapt to the effects of climate change.

Energy

Specific provisions for renewable electricity generation, including wind farms and solar farms.

Town Centres/Neighbourhood Shops/Commercial Areas

New urban zones to provide for commercial and community hubs.

Tangata Whenua

Enabling land use and development of Māori land to support the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of Māori.

Industrial Areas

Providing for a range of industrial activities in the General Industrial Zone which are important for Wairarapa.

Open Spaces/Reserves

Providing for a range of recreational activities within three new Open Space and Recreation Zones.

Network Utilities/ Infrastructure

Requiring network utilities to be underground, especially in urban areas. Protecting the National Grid from development and activities. Giving effect to national direction instruments.

Papakāinga and Māori Purpose Zone

Introducing a Māori Purpose Zone to enable iwi and hapū to live on, use and develop ancestral land. Enabling papakāinga in residential and rural zones.

Quarries

Allowing for on-site farm quarrying activities to occur in rural areas, with other quarries requiring resource consent.

Transport

Updating standards in the Transport Chapter to align with best practice. Enabling a multi-modal transport system.

Light

Applying rules to reduce light pollution and to help parts of Wairarapa become International Dark Sky Reserves.

Natural Environment

Recognising and protecting natural environment values of significance.

How Should We Grow? We Want To Know!

Why are we reviewing the District Plan and why are we proposing changes?

Under the Resource Management Act, Councils are required to review their District Plan every 10 years to ensure it is still fit for purpose.

Our plan is now 10 years old. We need a modern plan which provides clear objectives, policies and rules to manage the effects of land use activities on the environment. It’s time to check in again with our communities to understand people’s needs and expectations and revisit the direction for our district’s development.

The review will also incorporate any recent changes in legislation, national and regional policy statements, environmental standards and other regulations. One of the changes has been the introduction of the National Planning Standards which sets out the format for the District Plan and will change the way the District Plan looks, including making it easier to find information and read online.

Urban Growth and Development

Enable growth to occur in acoordinated way which suits the community. We must also better manage our scarce water resources.

The Draft District Plan proposes to:

•Provide for more urban growth areas

• Enable higher residential densities in central urban areas.

•Require water tanks (5000L) for new dwellings.

Natural Hazards

Floods, earthquakes, and coastal erosion all present risks to people, property and infrastructure. New provisions are proposed to manage land use and subdivision where it is most at risk of being impacted by natural hazards.

Where are we in the District Plan process?

Scoping and research was undertaken in 2021. The technical advisory group has been consulting with iwi and key stakeholders on resource management issues to identify which rules and provisions are still relevant, any new issues which have arisen, and to assess which provisions are working or are not working well.

Now we have prepared a new Draft District Plan, the revised provisions need to be tested by the wider community. This is the time to tell us what you think will work and what won’t. Community feedback on the Draft Plan will help to inform the Proposed Plan.

DRAFT DISTRICT PLAN

Release date: 25th October 2022

Non-statutory consultation Release of the Draft District Plan offers an opportunity for consideration by, and feedback from, the community.

PROPOSED DISTRICT PLAN

Release date June 2023

Formal consultation

The public notification process includes submissions, further submissions, hearings, decisions, and appeals.

Thank you for taking the time to comment on the Draft District Plan. Your feedback will help us with the next stage of our review, which will be finalising and formally notifying the Proposed Wairarapa Combined District Plan.

CONTACT DETAILS

Full name: Organisation: (if applicable)

Postal Address:

Email: Phone:

Please tick your preferred method of contact in the event we would like to seek further information (Please select only one): q EMAIL q POSTAL

Please remember that all feedback, including your name, will be considered as ‘public information’ under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act. It may be published and made available to elected members and the community.

FEEDBACK ON THE DRAFT DISTRICT PLAN

Please

Providing protection through Significant Natural Areas, Outstanding Natural Features and Landscapes, and Significant Waterbodies overlays.

Coastal Areas

Updating

View or download the complete Draft District Plan:

Providing

with the

Statement.

Hazardous

the

Protection Area.

Land

Managing

of

Temporary Activities/Events

| 5.00PM - 8.00PM Anzac Hall 62 Bell St, Featherston

WED. 9 NOV. | 12.00PM - 3.00PM

Carterton Community Courthouse Holloway Street, Carterton

WED. 16 NOV. | 5.00PM - 8.00PM Greytown Town Centre, 89 Main St, Greytown

NOMINATIONS FOR HISTORIC HERITAGE ITEMS

As part of the feedback phase we are also seeking nominations for new historic heritage buildings, items or precincts and notable trees. Feel free to attach additional pages.

If you prefer to submit your feedback online, you can do so via the websitewww.wairarapaplan.co.nz/feedback

Lifestyle

Real value in true friendship

I recently spent the day with a group of people I worked with around 40 years ago.

Two of them, I hadn’t seen in person for over 35 years. But as we sat around the table for a long lunch, the years just dropped away and we had the most wonderful time together. So much so, that we have formed a group on Facebook’s Messenger and we post our daily Wordle challenge results and have a bit of a natter.

I am sure there will be more gatherings in the near future. It confirmed something I have always believed. Time and distance shouldn’t affect a true friendship.

A true friend

• Is there for you, no matter what.

• Doesn’t judge you.

• Doesn’t put you down or deliberately hurt your feelings.

• Is kind and respectful.

• Is loyal.

• Is willing to tell the truth even when it’s hard to hear.

• Laughs with you and at you.

If you have someone who is unkind, belittles you or takes advantage of you then they are not a friend, and you are best rid of them. A bad friend can do a lot of emotional damage that can take a long time to recover from!

A lovely friendship I witnessed many years ago was between my mother and another lady. The odd thing about this friendship is that although they both lived in the same town, they never ever met. It started when Jean, [a complete stranger] rang Ma one day to congratulate her on a large newspaper article about her beautiful house and garden. They had quite a chat and in the middle of the conversation, Ma mentioned she was in the middle of the Dominion crossword. And that little comment started a very lovely phone friendship. Every morning they would connect by

phone and together sitting with a cuppa, they would have a natter and do the crossword together. At Christmas, I would deliver a gift to Jean and pick up one to take home. When I asked why they had never met, I was told “I have a perception of what Jean is like, and I don’t want that to change. We are both happy to keep it the way it is”. It was a friendship that endured for a number of years and only ended when Jean died.

I am very interested in what goes on in the brain

to connect people. I have been involved with an organisation for 28 years. Its membership fluctuates between 50 and 80. Over the years, I have developed strong friendships with around eight of them. I consider them to be my “inner circle” and we have some great times together. We socialise a lot together, we go away for weekends, we always there for each other, we celebrate each other’s birthdays. We all had that one common interest that initially brought us together, but

what happens to make that connection turn into a close friendship? Maybe it’s just something as simple as a smile or a kind act, but what makes them different than everyone else in the group? I would love to know the answer. I suppose the same thing applies at school. Out of a classroom full of kids, friendships develop, but what makes that connection happen?

And then we have the ‘best friend’. That person who you trust, love and care for above all others. That one person who will love you at your best and your worst. That one person who you will confide in more than anyone else. That someone who will keep your secrets. I call them your 3am

friend. That person who, when you ring for help at 3am will say, “I’m on my way” not “Do you know what the bloody time is?”

Apart from my darling wife who is my very bestest friend, I have one other person who fits the bill. I have known her for around 25 years. She is 16 years older than me, has been widowed for 20 years. We see each other fairly frequently. We don’t chat on the phone. It is an unconditional friendship with absolutely no expectations or demands. She ticks all the boxes. I haven’t told her for a while how much I love her, but after writing this, I am going to do so today.

I challenge you all to do the same to your best friend.

Graeme Burnard

Comment – Pick ‘n Mix

Burnard maintains that time and distance shouldn’t affect a true friendship.

PHOTO/ADOBE.STOCK.COM

ReachDesign

Māori in Business

WAIRARAPA M Ā ORI IN

ReachDesign can help take your business to another level

Vernette (Vinnie) Shapland’s business skills could help reduce the demands on you as a small business owner.

Vinnie and her sta˜ at ReachDesign can help automate tasks and recommend apps on your phone to approve purchases, fulÿ ll orders for your product, accept appointments with clients, sign o˜ invoices, approve your sta˜ ’s annual leave, and much more – even if you’re on holiday.

Some business tasks could be linked to your website. Vinnie’s team can design and maintain your website too.

“The most important part of our job is to understand the business owners and their needs. It’s all about building relationships,” Vinnie says. “The tech part is much more straightforward if the foundational relationships are in place and the business dreams are deÿ ned.”

Small businesses make up 97% of all ÿ rms in New Zealand. Small businesses contribute nearly a third of the country’s employment and a quarter of its GDP. Owning your own ÿ rm or being selfemployed allows you to make your own decisions, determine your own outcomes, and stand tall. It can also be all-consuming.

Taking some of the pressure o˜ your time as a business owner will be good for you and good for your business whether you are renting out an Airbnb or are a vintner, a farmer, a retailer, a plumber, or a personal trainer. Streamlining and automating business processes means you will be more able to see the wood for the trees and operate strategically. It will make your business more saleable too.

ReachDesign - with its focus on making your life easier - has gone from strength to strength since its inception three years ago. Its customer base in the Wairarapa is growing.

Vinnie whakapapas to the Wairoa rohe of Ng˛ti Kahungunu. As she settles into the Wairarapa, also Ng˛ti Kahungunu, Vinnie is linking to her M˛ori roots. For example, she has helped establish M˛ori in Business, a support and networking group in the region.

The Crown has issued a written apology for its history with Ng˛ti Kahungunu including its disregard for property rights and resulting social and economic under-development. The group M˛ori in Business supports M˛ori economic development in the district.

Vinnie is also a Board member of Business Wairarapa, working with local and central government to implement the Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy - helping businesses to link, collaborate, and grow, and advocating for training opportunities. A pipeline of trained employees is important in any sector and Vinnie advocates for training opportunities in the tech sector.

M˛ori make up 17% of the population. A 2021 Digital Skills Aotearoa Report shows that 14% of students taking NCEA tech standards are M˛ori, while less than 6% of students enrolled in a degree level IT qualiÿ cation are M˛ori. Wearing her grass roots M˛ori economic development hat, Vinnie would love to help address these statistics. She has been made a Trustee of Wai-Tech – a Wairarapa training organisation focusing on training in tech. ReachDesign, like many other businesses, is on the lookout for great sta˜ . If you

have a tech qualiÿ cation and can help with business process automation, website development or graphic design, Vinnie is keen to hear from you. To help ReachDesign appeal to M˛ori businesses, your experience in tikanga M˛ori would also be beneÿ cial.

Vinnie Shapland knows what it’s like to be a small business owner. Not only is she the Director (aka Dream Deÿ ner) of ReachDesign but has also teamed up with her life partner to grow and press olives for oil. Automating business processes for the olive oil company has been a great pilot for all ReachDesign’s expertise.

Greytown’s urban winery Alexia opened for the summer last Friday with a newly acquired on-licence.

The winery will open its backstreet wine bar from 11am to 4pm, Friday to Sunday, through the summer season.

Alexia is an urban winery co-owned by Jane Cooper and Lesley Reidy.

Cooper and Reidy source grapes from Manuka Flats vineyard in West Taratahi and make them into wine in West St, Greytown.

“The idea is to put the winery where the people are,” Reidy said.

For two years the winery has operated with an off-license, but when the doors op today patrons can have a glass of wine in the garden or enjoy something from the menu of locally sourced food on the new verandah.

It will host pop-up events, including Pies and Pinot, on Saturday, November 5.

Alexia commissioned Featherston artist Jen Olson to paint a massive mural inside the winery.

Olson spent five weeks painting the surreal mural called Goodly Creatures.

It depicts several figures in pink, some of whom have plants growing out of their arms.

The mural draws inspiration from Shakespeare’s The

Tempest, which Olson said in her artist statement, involves people “building strength, character and love despite [and because of] nature’s stormy torment.”

Olson painted words from the play onto the wall beneath the mural, which acted as a thematic background and a spacial grid for scaling the artwork.

Alexia wines opened its doors in 2020, shortly before the first covid

lockdown.

After a tough few years, Cooper and Reidy have seen success, with their wine now stocked at several top restaurants in Wairarapa and Wellington and also at Moore Wilsons.

Now, Alexia might become Greytown’s hottest summertime drinks spot with an on-license.

This year Alexia has five wines under its main label and four more under its Tangent label.

Williams

Emily Ireland emily.ireland@age.co.nz

Former Otorohanga Mayor Dale Williams has been unanimously elected Carterton District Council’s deputy mayor by fellow councillors.

At the council’s inaugural meeting last week, Mayor Ron Mark announced Williams was his nomination for the position.

Williams was first elected to Carterton District Council in last year’s by-election and has an extensive background in local government.

He started in local politics as a member of the Otorohanga Community Board in 1995 and served as the town’s mayor from 2004 until his retirement in 2013.

Williams said that between Mayor Ron Mark and himself, “I think we’ve got over 50 years of community leadership and service experience”.

“As unique as that is, and even as impressive as that might sound, it actually means very

deputy

little unless we can keep continuing to make impressionable differences for the people of Carterton district.”

As deputy mayor, my focus is going to be to support His Worship the Mayor, council, and Geoff [chief executive Geoff Hamilton] and his team to help Carterton District Council be the most economical, efficient, and effective council it can possibly be.”

Williams thanked the community and his family for their support.

“You know the person I am; you know how I conduct myself.

“I can absolutely assure you that I won’t drop the ball, and I won’t let you down.”

In his 2022 candidate statement, Williams said there were many challenges and changes ahead for local government, “and Carterton needs councillors with cool heads, clear thinking, open minds, and common sense, to put in the time and work hard to make decisions that matter.”

• Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

Riversdale set for a busy summer

MARY ARGUE mary.argue@age.co.nz

The sun, blue skies, and official opening of the lifeguard season, mean one thing – summer is upon us and Riversdale is gearing up for a busy one.

A humming Labour Weekend kicked off Riversdale Surf Lifesaving Club season with beachgoers flocking to the coastal settlement.

Club chair Dave Rose said the warm weather saw dozens of people in the water, and lifeguards patrolling in the afternoons.

He said this season the club would have a roster of around 45 lifeguards patrolling regularly at the

weekends from December and daily from Christmas.

Rose said the club was anticipating a similar season to the last, which saw lifeguards rack up numerous rescues and an award for central region Rescue of the Year.

He said Riversdale punched well above its

weight with last season’s guards clocking 4562 patrol hours.

“That’s more than any of the 28 clubs in the central region.” He said in the 2021-2022 summer Riversdale Surf Life Club rescued 23 people and participated in 36 search and rescue missions.

“There were also 11 major first aid incidents, some of which were assisting helicopter or ambulance, 24 minor first aid events, and 1639 preventative actions.”

Rose said the Rescue of the Year award related to an incident just after New Year where a man boogie boarding came off a wave and crashed head-first into the sand.

“We attended to him directly on the beach. The ambulance and then the helicopter came, and he was flown directly to the spinal unit at the hospital in Christchurch.”

He said the guards had to dig a channel around the man to stop the tide coming in while waiting

for paramedics.

“With it being a suspected spinal injury, the lifeguards attending had to hold the man’s head still for about an hour and a half. They did everything right.”

Rose said the season opening was one of three notable milestones for the club last month, with the surf life club hosting the annual IRB development camp and also welcoming a new 4WD side-by-side beach quad bike.

He said the importance of the new rescue quad bike could not be overstated.

“A huge thanks goes to Powerco for supporting this purchase. Without it, the club would not

have been able to afford this vital piece of rescue equipment.”

Rose said that the IRB development camp saw surf lifesavers from across the lower North Island go through a driving capability assessment over two demanding days in big seas.

“[With] the majority passing the course and able to take those skill sets back to their respective beaches.”

Club captain and IRB examiner Mike Taylor said the candidates did well despite the testing conditions.

“If you can drive an IRB at Riversdale, you can drive it anywhere.”

Riversdale lifeguards clocked 4562 patrol hours last summer.

PHOTOS/FILE

The club recently welcomed a new 4WD quad, and “vital piece of rescue equipment”. PHOTO/FILE

Alexia wines co-owners Jane Cooper, left, and Lesley Reidy, right, commissioned artist Jen Olson to paint a mural in their Greytown winery and bar.

PHOTO/FLYNN NICHOLLS

Mereoni Rokocaucau, right,

Ricco van Beek of Masterton got his jab, voucher and Wellness pack. Masterton got Wellness pack.

From left, Je˜ rey Rongonui, Anita Smith came along for their vaccinations. Nurse vaccinator, Sabrina, made the process easy.

busy, bustling day with

relaxed vibe

one

Linda and Mark Hamilton of Masterton

up to our clinic at Toi T° Te T˛ngata; here they chat with one of our nurses, Dinah.

Nick Sault Sky Watch

As at writing it looks like the massively wet period we have been going through has ended and I am not sloshing around in muddy water just walking in the back paddock. Let’s hope we are in for a dryer period for a while.

The big event I see for us this month is an eclipse of the moon. Get ready for the late evening of the 8th into the early morning

of the 9th. If it is warm enough, get your friends and neighbours around for a lunar eclipse party.

The lunar eclipse, unlike a solar eclipse, is not an instant event, but happens over a number of hours. From 9pm on the 8th, the moon gradually takes on different hues as the eclipse progresses and even at the middle of eclipse it is visible, but

only as a haunting dark red apparition. Well worth staying up until midnight to see.

What is happens is that the Earth is blocking out the moon from the sun.

The moon moves into a partial shadow created by Earth called the penumbra at 9pm. At 10pm the moon starts to take on a reddish hue as the Earth-moon system becomes more aligned.

Intriguingly the reddish colour is due to the sun’s light passing through the Earth’s atmosphere. During the penumbral phase some of the sun’s rays are still able to get to Earth, but at what is called

the umbral part of the eclipse, the only sunlight getting to the moon is cast from Earth’s sun-glowing atmosphere.

This is hard for us to picture down here on Earth, but if you were on the moon looking back at Earth during the umbral part of the eclipse, Earth would be surrounded by a red glow, the sun being directly behind it. The umbral phase lasts from an hour before midnight to an hour after.

If you are into early morning surprises and skies are clear, you can get to see the Leonid meteors on 19th. 4am is best, as morning twilight

creeps upon us soon after. However, if you are around at that hour, look north-east where the constellation of Leo is rising. There will be a little bit of moon over there as well, but you should see some meteors if you hang around long enough.

In the last half of the month and with the moon out of the way, the eastern horizon becomes alight with perhaps the best star show of the year. Due east is the brilliant Sirius, while in the north-east, Orion dominates the sky. Further towards the north, Taurus has risen with Mars just hovering over the horizon after 11pm. Enjoy.

Murals bring heart and soul to Masterton

a town,” she said.

Lifestyle

ELLIE FRANCO ellie@localfocus.nz

Masterton has received a new lick of paint, thanks to mural artists from across Aotearoa gathering to freshen up its walls.

The project conceived by Masterton Trust Lands Trust [MTLT] called on renowned artists including FLOX, Sean Duffell, Lotte Hawley, and duo Pip&ZoePaint.

MTLT trustee Bex Johnson said the professionally created murals were a great way to bring art to the public.

“It’s free to access, livens up and brightens up the CBD, and it’s a good way of placemaking

“With the murals that we’ve created, and we’ve invested in, they’re relevant to Wairarapa in the region’s flora and fauna, the land, and its people.

“So they’re unique and specific, and they’re a great way to connect our community with art.”

Blenheim graphic artist Sean Duffell chose the ruru, or morepork, as the central theme on his Queen St mural, which is adorned with native plants used in traditional Māori medicine.

Martinborough multimedia artist Lotte Hawley’s mural, ‘Sink or Swim’, on Dixon St brightens up the Education Centre’s car park.

Her work was inspired by children skipping stones by Wairarapa rivers.

“The traditional

vintage blanket wrapped around the far left Maori girl wraps around each child as a symbol of wind, warmth, current and tradition,” Hawley said.

Local Focus caught up with mural duo, Pip&ZoePaint, while they joined forces on a Dixon St wall just behind the Lone Star.

Pippa Keel said the duo was inspired by the region’s five rivers: Waingawa, Waipoua, Waiohine, Ruamahanga and the Tauherenikau.

“We looked at some of the unique species that are found only in those [rivers] and are native to New Zealand and a few of them to this area,” Keel said.

“We created a bit of an abstract piece that shows them all sort of weaving throughout.”

Over winter the Wellington-based

illustrators completed a mural in Carterton featuring bright and beautiful flowers, something they’re frequently recognised for. Zoe Gillett said mural painting brightens up spaces and creates a conversation.

“We have lots of cool chats with the community around art and it’s really good for the local artists as well,” she said.

Keel and Gillett are the only muralists involved in the project who work solely in brushwork,

which presents a few challenges.

“For this one specifically, it’s our first corrugated wall,” Keel said.“So that’s been interesting in terms of sketching up the design. And it holds the heat of the day quite strongly, so it’s kind of almost like painting on a

heater a little bit.

“So that’s been a really unique challenge […] we’re learning.”

Internationally recognised artist Hayley King, known as FLOX, painted the mural entitled ‘Past and Present’ through rain and shine on Lincoln Rd.

PHOTO/PHILLIP

Her mural is a homage to Mt Bruce’s Pukaha Wildlife Centre.

“The left side is symbolising our past, while the right is sort of more celebration of the present and what we have and the treasures and the tāonga that we have here, specifically in Masterton,” FLOX said.

“The left side is dominated by the huia bird, which in the Wairarapa region was one of the last places that the huia was actually spotted when it was around.

“And of course, it’s now extinct, so that’s why I chose that bird there on the left because that harks back to a time that is almost forgotten.

“It’s a symbol of a treasure that we have lost. And so the right side is a celebration of what we do have now…the [North Island] kokako.

“[The kokako] is sort of renowned as the Pukaha ambassador, because it is their success story in terms of regenerating that bird and bringing it back from the brink.”

FLOX said mural painting was similar to pouring your heart and soul onto the wall.

“I’m sure I’ve left some hair and some blood and some sweat on the wall; who knows. It’s almost like a real personal journey that is on public display too.”

FLOX’s advice to creatives looking to start painting murals is to find your process.

“There are some ridiculously talented mural artists in New Zealand.

“They just get out there and start sketching this beautiful portrait of someone, and they’re just referring to their A4 printout.

“There’s some crazy talent, but I would say be prepared for some hard yakka. It’s almost like giving birth.

“It’s hard work, but at the end you get this incredible baby that you’re so proud of and you know, you just want to introduce that to the world.

“So there’s a lot of highs and lows, but at the end of the day, it’s incredibly satisfying.”

MTLT said it was keen to see more people getting involved in the creative process.

“We visited a number of the colleges in Masterton and have spoken to the senior art

students to see if they can get excited and engaged in creating murals,” Johnson said.

“When the artists were all in town, we invited local business property owners and also local art groups to come and see the process, talk to the artists and hopefully engage and get inspired.

“We’re really keen to get more property owners putting public art in our area and exposing our local art communities to creating more murals.

Johnson said MTLT had been around for 150 years and part of its act was encouraging arts, culture, and heritage in the community.

“We offer concessional rents to Aratoi and also to Hau Kainga, which is a locally based Maori arts and exhibition space, and also ConArt.

“So we’re supporting them with funding and encouraging arts in our community.

“We also have annual grants and funding for the arts community, so that’s a particular area that we’re engaged in and we’d like to promote it and support it more.

“This is the start of our public art funding with the first four murals, and we’re looking at sculptures next, so just watch this space.”

TOP: FLOX’s ÿ nished mural for Masterton Trust Lands Trust, Past and Present. It pays homage to species we have lost [Huia] and species in recovery- K°kako.

BOTTOM LEFT: Artist Sean Du˛ ell in front of his completed Ruru mural in Kuripuni.

BOTTOM MIDDLE: Pip and Zoe in front of their river-themed mural in the Lone Star carpark.

PHOTOS/BEAU ELTON PHOTOGRAPHY

BOTTOM RIGHT: Lotte Hawley in front of her ÿ nished mural ‘Sink or Swim’ created for Masterton Trust Lands Trust to celebrate Wairarapa’s rivers and the

Rural

Wonky produce gets lovin’

Wonky Wairarapa produce will now be making its way from plantation to plate as Wellington-based food subscription company Wonky Box expands into the region.

Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms said a new delivery schedule was announced for Wairarapa last month, bringing seasonal vegetables from farms across the region to local dinner tables.

He said the idea for the company came about 18 months ago when he and his partner Katie Jackson had spent a summer working on farms in Nelson.

Simms and Jackson had been living in the United Kingdom when they met. Jackson was a psychiatric nurse and Simms was working in finance, a world away from owning and operating a food subscription service.

He said they had noticed that across Europe, most supermarkets had food rescue schemes to reduce waste, but upon return to New Zealand in 2020, there was no ugly produce to be seen.

“We’d just quit our jobs in London, mid-covid we moved back to Wellington, and did the whole cliche and bought ourselves a campervan and went travelling.

“When we ran out of money we decided to park up in Nelson and do some seasonal work during the summer of 2021.”

Simms said he and Jackson had been working on a variety of farms across the Nelson area, but when a freak hail storm hit, much of the produce was ruined.

“We were so frustrated at the time having no money ourselves that we decided there could be a solution.”

He said growers weren’t at fault for wasted produce, and the pressure for perfection came from consumers, weather patterns, and a lack of competition between retailers.

Upon their return to Wellington, Simms and Jackson stripped the bedding out of their van and began driving up and down the region looking for growers who might be interested in their food rescue idea.

Simms said many local growers, including those in Wairarapa, were having the same problems as they saw in Nelson, but there was a reluctance to get on board with Wonky Box because of a fear of upsetting the retailers they already sold to.

He said he and Jackson finally convinced a grower to supply weird and misshapen produce to them during their third doorknocking expedition across the region.

“We ended up meeting a market vendor who would usually go to Wellington and supply the harbourside market – she said she’d ask her parents if there were any vegetables left over from the markets that they didn’t sell that they’d normally throw away.

“It’s still arguably really really fresh, fresher than what you would find at the supermarket.”

Simms said the growers gave them a chance and the business grew from there.

He said they noticed a huge increase in the use of their subscription service when the second lockdown hit in August last year.

He said vendors who would head over from Wairarapa and Levin to sell their produce at Wellington markets were left without a way to sell their food.

Simms said he and Jackson created a distribution channel with Wonky Box and drove their new truck over the Remutaka Hill and up to Levin to pick up fruit and vegetables.

Simms said labour shortages had been creating problems for growers.

“We would call growers and they would often have perfectly edible produce that wasn’t even considered second grade but they

weren’t able to pull it from the ground because they didn’t have enough labour.”

He said when people thought about the increasing price of produce in supermarkets, they’d be unaware of the wider situation.

“Quite often the produce is actually grown but it just can’t get out of the ground because we don’t have enough workers to pick it.”

Simms said Wonky Box wanted to not only provide people with highquality food but to educate consumers in urbanised communities about the issues that growers faced.

He said it had been quite difficult to expand the business to supply Wairarapa homes, but they had made it happen using courier services.

“We tend to have produce arrive from the farm on a Wednesday and it can be delivered as soon as Thursday or Friday.”

Simms said each cost $32 and would contain at least a variety of ten different items.

There were two box options; vegetables or fruit and vegetables.

Simms said the fruit and vegetable box was made up of about 75 per cent vegetables, and 25 per cent fruit.

People

effort and leadership.

Achieving this doesn’t

• Involve employees in the decisions that affect their job.

• Good leadership and regular communication are the best motivation for most employees.

• Discuss with your staff what is important to them and what motivates them. The easiest way to find out is to ask them!

• Get to know your employees and find out what makes them tick.

• Make sure any motivation for an individual does not undermine team motivation.

Resources and templates to assist with these

Wonky Box co-owner Angus Simms with a heart-shaped orange.

Kiwifruit supplied to Wonky Box.

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

: 1 Erupt, 4 Take first prize, 11 Oasis, 14 About, 15 Dumbfounded, 16 Firewood, 19 Compost, 20 Trait, 21 Chronicle, 24 Alligator, 26 Strata, 27 Values, 31 Torch, 32 Sentence, 34 Manchester, 38 Upright, 39 Slyest, 40 Diesel, 41 Smug, 42 Tragedy, 45 Appreciate, 50 Entered, 54 Mute, 55 Halves, 56 Addict, 57 Weather, 60 Travelling, 61 Ingested, 62 Nanny, 65 Sweets, 66 Carton, 67 Actuality, 72 Impudence, 73 Treat, 74 Dossier, 79 Grinning, 80 Camaraderie, 81 Arose, 82 Eases, 83 Pick of the bunch, 84 Tense.

: 2 Ribbon, 3 Plump, 5 Abut, 6 Embargo, 7 Ironic, 8 Sent, 9 Plethora, 10 Elixir, 11 Overloaded, 12 Spot, 13 Sadness, 17 Astir, 18 Contravene, 22 Eaves, 23 Customer, 25 Lacking, 26 Sceptic, 28 Cooper, 29 Endear, 30 Scheme, 33 Tulip, 35 Raged, 36 Shed, 37 Idea, 42 Tempt, 43 Anteater, 44 Yearly, 45 Advantaged, 46 Pose, 47 Elation, 48 Indigo, 49 Tacks, 51 Noes, 52 Entrant, 53 Eyeing, 58 Sentiments, 59 Fed up, 63 Staccato, 64 Bloom, 65 Shingle, 68 Chateau, 69 Turnip, 70 Arcade, 71 Senses, 75 Spree, 76 Miss, 77 Fast, 78 Disc.

Events

NOVEMBER

Alcoholics Anonymous: Featherston Community Centre, 7.30-8.30pm. Call 0800 229 6757. Belly Dance for Beginners: Kiwi Hall, Featherston, 6.30-7.30pm. Call Antonia Blincoe [021] 105-7649.

Carrington Bowling Club: 57 High Street, Carterton,1pm for 1.30 pm start. Call Pauline Hodgson [027] 406-672.

Carterton Community Choir: 7.159pm, at Carterton School, Holloway St. Call [022] 373-4299.

Danzability Class: 11am-noon, at Studio 73, Greytown. Call physio. rachel.horwell@gmail.com or [022] 077-2654.

Digital Seniors Wairarapa: Call 0800 373 646 for an appointment.

Martinborough: St Andrew’s Church, 9.30-11am; Featherston: Featherston Community Centre, 1.30-3.30pm. Fareham Creative Space: Open studio, 10am-3pm, 80 Underhill Rd, Featherston. Email: registrations@ farehamcreativespace.nz Featherston Menz Shed: 61 Fitzherbert St, open from 6.30pm. Food Market: Food trucks, 4.307.30pm outside the Masterton Town Hall, rain or shine.

GirlGuidingNZ: Carterton Pippins, 5-7 years, 4.15-5.30pm. Carterton Brownies, 7-9½ years, 6-7.30pm. Call Sharon [021] 033-0550. Justice of the Peace: Masterton CAB 9.30am-12.30pm. KeepFit!: 10.30am, Senior Citizens Hall, Cole St, Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Masterton Art Club: 10am-2pm, tutored classes available, also print on Fridays, at 12 Victoria St. Call Sue 377-7019 or Elissa [0274] 706-528.

Masterton Petanque Club: 2pm, in Queen Elizabeth Park. Call Myrna Lane 377-3064.

Masterton Toy Library: 10am-1pm, 365 Queen St.

Narcotics Anonymous: 7.308.30pm, at St Matthew’s Church, Church St, Masterton.

Parkinson’s Exercise Class: 1.30pm, at the Wairarapa Boxing Academy, Dixon St. Call Roslyn [027] 264-8623.

Patient Activity Programme: At Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall St, Masterton, 10am-1pm. Call Kirsten 399 1050.

Red Star Table Tennis Club: 5-7pm at Red Star Sports Association 10 Herbert St, Masterton. Call Peter [027] 566-4664 or Brian 377-4066.

Ruamahanga Club: Cards – 500, 1-4pm, at Wairarapa Services Club, Essex St, Masterton.

Social Learners Bridge: 1-3.30pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Barbara [06] 304-9208.

Steady As You Go: Falls Prevention and Balance Class, 9.30am, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St, Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Thursday Morning Bikers: Meet at the fountain at the Queen Elizabeth Park entrance, 9.30am. Contact (06) 216-2187

Wairarapa Fern and Thistle Pipe Band: Weekly practice, Masterton Brass Bandrooms, Park Ave, Masterton. Email fernandthistle21@ gmail.com

Wairarapa Genealogy Branch: Family History Research Rooms, 5 Church St, Masterton, open 1-4pm. Wairarapa Model Aero Club: 9amnoon, at the Masterton Aerodrome. Whakaoriori Shufflers: Line dancing, Red Star clubrooms, Herbert St, Masterton, intermediate, 1-2.30pm. Call 377-5518 or 377-1135.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Spontaneous Dance: Kiwi Hall, Featherston, 6.30-8pm. Call Pavla Miller [022] 075-3867.

Aratoi: Masterton Museum: A Cabinet of Curiosities to July 2023.

Carterton Craft Market: Mon-Sat: 9am-4pm, Sun: 10am-3pm, 25 High St North, Carterton. Call Desley [027] 787-8558.

Carterton Senior Citizens: 1.304pm, play cards, Rummikub and Scrabble, Carterton Memorial Club, Broadway.

Cloth Collective Sewing Workshop: 10am-2pm, Kiwi Hall Supper Room. Call Sara Uruski [0274] 474-959.

Dance Fit: At Carrington Park, Carterton, at 6-7pm. Text dance groove to [022] 321-2643.

Greytown Music and Movement: For pre-schoolers, 10am, at St Luke’s Hall, Main St. Contact email admin@ stlukesgreytown.co.nz

Fareham Creative Space: Open studio, 10am-3pm, 80 Underhill Rd,

Featherston. Email: registrations@ farehamcreativespace.nz Free Community Fit Club: 6am and 11am, Carrington Park, Carterton. All ages, all fitness levels. Call Di [027] 498-7261.

Justice of the Peace: Carterton library noon-2pm; Masterton District Court 11am-1pm; Eketahuna Library 1.30-4.30pm.

Kids Song & Story: 9.30-10.30am, for preschool children and their caregivers, Epiphany Church hall, High St, Masterton. Call Anne Owen 377-4505.

Needlework & Craft Dropin: 10am-noon, Featherston Community Centre. Call May [06] 308-6912 or Virginia [06] 308-8392.

Masterton Croquet Club: Golf Croquet 9.15am behind the Hosking Garden in the park. Call Russell Ward 377-4401.

Masterton Masters Swimming Club: Club night 5.30-6.30pm, Trust House Recreation Centre back pool. Call Stu [027] 295-4189 or Lucy [021] 0204-4144.

Masterton Social Badminton Club: Chanel College gymnasium, Herbert St, enter through treelined entrance [by the bus stop], 7-9pm. Contact Melissa [027] 327-0505.

Seniornet Wairarapa: Computer/ cellphone help, 1-2.30pm, Departmental Buildings, 33 Chapel St, Masterton. Call John [027] 3835654.

Wairarapa Stop Smoking Service: Quit Clinic at Whaiora 9am-noon. Free support available across Wairarapa. Call Whaiora 0800 494 246.

Walk and Talk: Meet outside Dish Cafe, First St, Masterton, 9.30am.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5

Wairarapa Spinners and Weavers: 10.30am-2pm, in the Wool Shed, Dixon St, Masterton. Call Trish 3788775 or Lynette 377-0236.

Featherston Fusiliers: Wargaming and boardgames club, meet at Featherston Assembly of God cafeteria, 22 Birdwood St, 10am4.30pm. Contact featherston. fusiliers@gmail.com

Carrington Bowling Club: 57 High Street, Carterton, 1pm for 1.30 pm start. Call Pauline Hodgson [027] 406-672.

Carterton District Historical Society: 150 High St North, Carterton. Open by appointment. Call 379-5564.

Cobblestones Early Settlers VIllage: Open 10am-4pm seven days. History comes alive with six heritage buildings, carts and carriages, set in two acres of beautiful gardens, bring a picnic to enjoy.

Featherston Heritage Museum: Behind the Featherston Library and Information Centre. Sat and Sun 10am-2pm, other times by arrangement. Call Elsa [021] 2639403.

Featherston Weekly Market: 8am2pm, 33 Fitzherbert St. Greytown Menz Shed: 9am-noon. Call Paul Dodge [021] 0262-6595.

Justice of the Peace: Service centre available at Masterton Library, 10am-noon.

Lions Book Sale: 9am-1pm, next to Wairarapa Farmers Market, Solway Showgrounds, Judds Rd, Masterton, under the grandstand.

Masterton Croquet Club: Association Croquet 9.15am and 12.45pm behind Hosking Garden in the park. Call Carl Redvers 378-7109.

Martinborough Museum: Open Sat and Sun at No 7 The Square, 10.30am-2.30pm. Donation/koha appreciated.

Parkrun: Weekly 5km run/walk. Measured, timed, free. 8am start, at the Woodside end of the Greytown rail trail. Info: parkrun.co.nz/ greytownwoodsidetrail Saturday in the Park: Food trucks by the Skate Park, QE Park 10am2pm, rain or shine.

Tinui Craft Corner and Museum: Open Sat/Sun 10am-4pm. Call Lesley Hodgins [06] 372-6433.

Toy Library: Masterton: 10am1pm, 365 Queen St. Featherston: 14 Wakefield St, 10am-noon.

Wairarapa Cancer Society Supportive Care Services: Free services for anyone needing support after a cancer diagnosis. Call (06) 378-8039.

Wairarapa Farmers’ Market: 9am1pm, Solway Showgrounds, Judds Rd, Masterton, under the grandstand and nearby redwood tree.

Women’s Self Defence: With Dion, 9am, band rotunda, Queen Elizabeth Park. Call [020] 4124-4098.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6

TK Markets: At Martinborough’s Te Kairanga Vineyard from 10am to 2pm. Carterton Farmers Market: Memorial Square, 9am-12.30pm. Call [027] 663-9011.’

Featherston Menz Shed: 61 Fitzherbert St, open from 1pm. Masterton Park Bowling Club: Queen Elizabeth Park, bowls roll up at 1pm, names in by 12.45pm. Call 377-5458.

Masterton Petanque Club: Club day 2pm, in Queen Elizabeth Park. Call Myrna Lane 377-3064.

Masterton Toy Library: 10am-1pm, 365 Queen St.

Narcotics Anonymous: Featherston Community Centre, 7-9pm. Call 0800 628 632

Rotary Sunday Market: 6.3011.30am, Essex St car park. Contact thehodsons@xtra.co.nz South Wairarapa Pipe Band: Practice at St John’s church hall, Featherston, 4-6pm. To confirm time please call Gordon [027] 414-7433 or [027] 628-5889.

Wairarapa Model Aero Club: 9amnoon, at the Masterton Aerodrome.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Masterton Branch of the Labour Party: Meet at 6.30pm in Carterton or Masterton. Txt Helen [027] 4974902 to check venue.

Art for Everyone: Featherston Community Centre, 7-9pm. Call Sandie [021] 157-4909.

Carterton Alcoholics Anonymous: 8pm, Salvation Army Community Rooms, 210 High St. Call Bob [021] 042-2947 or Martin [06] 372-7764.

Carterton Community Toy Library: Events Centre, Holloway St, Mon-Sat during CDC Library hours.

Carterton Scottish Dance Club: 7.30pm, at Carterton School Hall, Holloway St. No partner required. Call Elaine 377-0322.

Carterton Food Bank: 10-11am Mon-Fri at Haumanu House. Call 379-4092.

CCS Disability Action Wairarapa Office: 36 Bannister St, Masterton, 10am-1pm Mon-Fri. Call 378-2426 or 0800 227-2255.

Citizens Advice Bureau: Free and confidential advice, Mon-Fri 9am4pm, 43 Perry St, Masterton. Call 377-0078 or 0800 367-222.

Creative Hands Programme: At Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall St, Masterton, 10am-noon. Call Kirsten 399-1050.

East Indoor Bowling Club: 7pm. Call Julie 377-5497 or George 3789266.

Epilepsy Support Group: 11am at the Salvation Army office, 210 High St South, Carterton. Call 0800 20 21 22.

Featherston Music Club: 7-9pm. Call Shaun O’Brien [027] 672-6249.

Free Community Fit Club: 6am and 11am, Carrington Park, Carterton. Call Di [027] 498-7261.

GirlGuidingNZ: Masterton Rangers, 12½-18 years, 6.30-8pm. South Wairarapa Guides [Greytown], 9-12½ years, 6-8pm. Call Sharon [021] 033-0550.

Hospice Wairarapa Support Services: Free of charge for anyone dealing with a terminal illness. Call [06] 378-8888.

Justice of the Peace: Masterton CAB 9.30am-12.30pm.

Keep Fit!: 9.30am, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St, Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066. Line Dancing: 10.30am, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Literacy Aotearoa: Free computing and digital device classes for adults. Call 377-4214.

Mah Jong: 1-4pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Pat Hamilton [06] 308-9729.

Masterton District Brass Band: Rehearsals at 7pm, in the Band Room, Park Ave, Masterton. Call [022] 574-0742.

Play Gym: St James Church Hall 116 High St, Masterton, 9.30-11am, for 0-3-year-olds.

Red Star Table Tennis Club: 6-8pm at Red Star Sports Association 10 Herbert St, Masterton. Call Peter [027] 566-4664 or Brian 377-4066. Senior Citizens Club: Cards 1-4pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Val [06] 308-9293.

Steady As You Go: Falls Prevention and Balance Class, Featherston: 9.30am, A/G Church. Masterton: 1.30pm, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St.

Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

The Dance Shed: 450A Belvedere

Rd, Carterton. Beginners Linedance Class: 6-7pm. Linedance Intermediate Class: 7.30-8.30pm. Call Wendy [027] 319-9814.

Troubadour Music Group: 6-8pm, Wairarapa Community Centre, 41 Perry St, Masterton. Contact Stefan [027] 226-6019.

Wairarapa Services Club: Cards –500, 1.30pm, at the club, Essex St, Masterton. Wairarapa Stop Smoking Service: Call a Quit Coach based at Whaiora 0800 494 246.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Masterton Toastmasters: Meet in the Salvation Army Hall, 210 High St, Carterton, at 7.30pm. Call Ben [027] 892-0730.

Featherston Toy Library: Featherston Community Centre, 9-11am.

Caregivers Programme: At Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall St, Masterton, noon-1.30pm. Call Kirsten 399 1050.

Clareville Badminton Club: Main Stadium at Clareville, 7.30pm -9pm. Call Steve [027] 333-3975.

Carrington Bowling Club: 57 High Street, Carterton,1pm for 1.30 pm start. Call Pauline Hodgson [027] 406-672.

Carterton District Historical Society: 142 High St North. Open 2-4pm or by appointment. Call Vivienne 379-5564 or email carterton.hist.soc@gmail.com

Central Indoor Bowls Club: 7.30pm, Hogg Crescent hall. Call Mathew or Graeme 378-7554.

Chair Exercise: Gentle chair exercises, 2-2.45pm, at St John’s Hall, Greytown. Dance Fitness: 6.30-7.30pm, at Fareham House Hall Featherston. Call Justine [0204] 105-2830. Digital Seniors Wairarapa: Call 0800 373 646 for an appointment. Carterton: 3 Mile, 66 High St, 9.30-11.30am; Greytown: Greytown Library, 1.30-3.30pm. Fareham Creative Space: Open studio, 10am-3pm, 80 Underhill Rd, Featherston. Email: registrations@ farehamcreativespace.nz Featherston Amateur Wrestling Club: Beginners, 5-9 years, 5.306.15pm; 10 years+ [including adults] 6.15-7.30pm. Featherston Menz Shed: 61 Fitzherbert St, open from 10am. Featherston Wahine Singers: 7-8.30pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Susan [021] 246-4884. Free Community Fit Club: 11am, Carrington Park, Carterton. All ages, all fitness levels. Call Di [027] 498-7261.

Free Literacy and Numeracy Classes: At Literacy Aotearoa Masterton. Call Carol [022] 524-5994 or visit us at 340 Queen Street, Masterton.

GirlGuiding: Masterton Pippins [5-7 years] 3.45-5pm. Call Chrissy Warnock 372-7646.

Justice of the Peace: Masterton CAB 11am-1pm.

Paint/draw: From live model,10amnoon, at Masterton Art Club, Victoria St. Call Elissa Smith [027] 470-6528.

Masterton Alcoholics Anonymous: 7.30pm, St Matthew’s Church Hall, 35 Church St. Call Anne 378-2338 or David [021] 116-5505.

Masterton Croquet Club: Golf Croquet 9.15am behind the Hosking Garden in the park. Call Russell Ward 377-4401.

Masterton Senior Citizens and Beneficiaries Association: Meet for social indoor bowls, 500 cards, or a chat 1-3pm, Senior Citizens hall, Cole St. Call Ngaire 377-0342.

Masterton Toy Library: 10am-1pm, at rear of Masterton YMCA, 162 Dixon St, Masterton. Red Star Table Tennis Club: 9amnoon at Red Star Sports Association 10 Herbert St, Masterton. Call Peter [027] 566-4664 or Brian 377-4066.

Seniornet Wairarapa: Computer/ cellphone help 1.30-2.30pm, Departmental Buildings, 33 Chapel St, Masterton. Call John [027] 383-5654.

Social Bridge: At South Wairarapa Workingmen’s Club, 1.30-3.30pm. Call Lesley [021] 299-6389.

South Wairarapa Workingmen’s Club: Games afternoon. Call Doff 304-9748.

Wairarapa Genealogy Branch: Family History Research Rooms, 5 Church St, Masterton, open 1-4pm. Wairarapa Services Club: Cards –Euchre, 1pm, at the club, Essex St, Masterton.

Woops A Daisies: Leisure Marching Team practice 4-5pm, at the Trust House Rec Centre Stadium. Call Cheryl [06] 370-1922 or [027] 69 6974.

NOVEMBER

AA Meeting: At 7.30pm, Epiphany church hall, High St, Solway, Masterton. Call [027] 557-7928.

Athletics Wairarapa: Club Night, 5.45-7pm, Colin Pugh Sports Bowl, Masterton, all ages and abilities welcome.

Cards: “500”, 1.15-4.15pm, at the Carterton Club. Call Barbara 3796582 or Val 379-8329.

Carterton Cycle Group: An informal group of ‘leg power’ and e-power cyclists, from Belvedere Rd [weather permitting] for 20km or 40-60km rides. Call Irene [027] 634-9167 or Lesley [021] 299-6389.

Dance Fitness: 9.30-11am, preschoolers with parents or caregivers, music and movement and art, at Fareham House Hall Featherston. Call Justine [0204] 105-2830.

Digital Seniors Wairarapa: Call 0800 373 646 for an appointment.

Masterton: Citizens Advice, 10-noon. Free Classes: Literacy, language and numeracy for adult learners. Call Literacy Aotearoa 377-4214.

Greytown Menz Shed: 9am-noon. Call Paul Dodge [021] 0262-6595.

GirlGuidingNZ: Masterton Brownies, 7-9½ years, 5.30-7pm. Call Sharon [021] 033-0550.

Healing Rooms: Confidential prayer for healing or any situation, 2-4pm, at St Matthews Church Hall, Church St, Masterton, no appointment necessary. Call [027] 245-2819.

Heart of Arts Wairarapa: A community gallery, 47 High St North, Carterton, Wed-Fri, 10am4pm, weekends, 10am-2pm.

Juesday Art: 10am-12.30pm, AOG Church, Birdwood St, Featherston. Call Julia [06] 308-8109.

Justice of the Peace: Masterton CAB noon-2pm.

Kiddie Gym: For 0-3-year-olds, 9.3011am, at St David’s Church, corner High and Victoria Sts, Carterton. Call Lorna or Abby 379-8325.

Masterton Art Club: 10am-2pm, also print on Fridays, at 12 Victoria St. Call Elissa [0274] 706-528.

Masterton Park Bowling Club: Queen Elizabeth Park, bowls roll up at 1pm, names in by 12.45pm. Call 377-5458.

Masterton Croquet Club: Association Croquet 9.15am and 12.45pm behind the Hosking Garden in the park. Call Carl Redvers 378-7109.

Parkinson’s Singing Group: 10.30am, at the South Wairarapa Workingman’s Club, Main St, Greytown. Call Marguerite Chadwick 379-5376.

Rangatahi to Rangatira Youth Group: Join us for sports, food, and leadership, Carterton Events Centre. Text “R2R” to [027] 742-2264.

Recreational Walking Group: 9.30am, Essex St car park. Call Ann Jackson, 372-5758, or Ann Duckett, 378-8285.

Scrabble Club: 1-4pm in Masterton. Phone Sue McRae [027] 449-0601 for venue details. Silver Ukulele Club: 1-3pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Jan [06] 308-8556.

South Wairarapa Caregivers Programme: At a café in South Wairarapa, 10am. Call Kirsten 3991050.

Soulway Cooking and Crafts: 10am-noon, High St, Masterton. Call Nikki Smith 370-1604 [church office].

Te Runga Scouts: Cubs, 6-7.30pm, 45 Harley St, Masterton.

The Dance Shed: 450A Belvedere Rd, Carterton. Line Dance Class 6-7pm; Rock N Roll Dance Class: 7.30-8.30pm, Beginners/Couple Coaching, Social/Competitive. Call Wendy [027] 319-9814.

Wairarapa Rockers: Rock’n’roll. Couple inquiries to [027] 333-1793.

Wairarapa Services Club: Rummikub, 1pm, at the club, Essex St, Masterton.

Wairarapa Singers: Choral singing, based in Masterton. Call Sean Mulcahy 379-9316.

Wairarapa Spinners & Weavers: 10am in The Wool Shed, Dixon St, Masterton. Call Trish 378-8775 or Josie 378-6531.

Whakaoriori Shufflers: Line dancing, Red Star clubrooms, Herbert St, Masterton, improvers 5-6.30pm. Call 377-5518 or 3771135.

Wisdom and Well-being: Featherston Community Centre, 10.30am-12.30pm. Call Pauline [021] 102 8857.

* To have an event listed please email event@age.co.nz by noon

Public Notices

SOUTH WAIRARAPA DISTRICT COUNCIL

NOTICE TO CLOSE ROADS TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC

Pursuant to the Transport (Vehicular Traffic Road Closure)

Regulations 1965, notice is hereby given that the South Wairarapa District Council, for the purpose of the Martinborough Fair, will close the following road to ordinary vehicular traffic for the period indicated hereunder.

This is the Martinborough Fair for November 2022, they normally run this fair in February and March, but due to Covid Restrictions it was postponed to November 2022.

During the period of closure, vehicles will need to take these alternative routes:

• From Kitchener Street as you enter into Martinborough:

- At intersection of Kitchener and Ohio Turn right onto Ohio St

- Turn left onto Naples St

- Right onto Jellicoe St and that road goes out of Martinborough.

Roads to be closed:

• The Square - (Memorial Square)

• Kansas Street - Between The Square and Strasbourge Street intersection

• Cambridge Street - Between The Square and Strasbourge Street intersection

• Texas Street - Between The Square and Strasbourge Street intersection

• Oxford Street - Between The Square and Cork Street

intersection • Kansas Street - Between The Square and Naples Street intersection

• Jellicoe Street - Between The Square and Naples Street

intersection

• Texas Street - Between The Square and Naples Street intersection.

SH53

• 26th

- Closed on SH53 (Kitchener St) between The

Street Intersection.

2022 from 4am 6 30pm (there

SOUTH WAIRARAPA DISTRICT COUNCIL

TO CLOSE ROADS TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC

to the Transport (Vehicular Traffic Road Closure)

1965, notice

hereby given that the South Wairarapa

Council, for the purpose of the South Wairarapa Motorcycle Sprints, will close the following roads to ordinary vehicular traffic for the period indicated hereunder.

During the period of closure, vehicles will need to take these alternative routes:

• No alternative routes provided

Roads to be closed:

• East West Access Road from just west of the barrage gate bridge to intersection with Te Hopai Road

Period of closure:

• Sunday 6th November 2022, between 9am and 4.30pm

Other information:

• The road is open to regular traffic between sprint runs

Stefan Corbett Group Manager Partnerships & Operations

Classified

Employment STORE PERSON

Contract Fencer/Handyman

Forest Enterprises is a leading forestry investment company that manages 52 forestry Investments on behalf of more than 6,500 individual investors throughout New Zealand and overseas. The forestry management and investment bu siness provide long term sustainable work for our employees and contract service providers. We operate a large scale harvesting, roading, log marketing and consequent re establishment programme, with opportunities for growth.

We are looking for a contracto r to provide fencing and handyman services to support our Masterton based forestry team on a flexible basis.

The range of duties include maintaining boundary fences and gates, grass seeding, signage, assisting road control, and other general labouring dut ies as required.

Suitable applicants will ideally Have general experience in fencing, construction, labouring and/or other trades, or farming/other primary sectors

Have a Health & Safety management system in place, and appro priate insurance Supply own tools and vehicle

Have good communication skills

Have strong time management

Be physically fit for an outdoors role

Be set up for invoicing

Send your credentials to recruitment@forestenterprises.co.nz, or contact Nathan Diamond to discuss on 027 444 1442. Referees will be required.

Closing date Friday 18 November 2022.

We have had a full time position become available for a store person at our Carterton branch, with an immediate start date.

A suitable candidate would be an honest , enthusiastic person with an outgoing personality who is able to work well within a team or on their own. Accurate paperwork entry is a must. The candidate is also required to lift a maximum of 25kg and there is weekend work involved.

Comprehensive farm experience would be beneficial along with suitable Tertiary qualifications.

This job has the possib ility of multiple career options within the business. These include (but are not limited to) Administration, Animal Technician and Field Representative.

Please send a handwritten cover letter along with your C.V. to:

The Manager

Keinzley Agvet Limited PO Box 95

Carterton

Or email: desire@keinzley.co.nz

Applications close 5pm, Monday 7th November 2022

Mutch too good

SHEARING

ART TUTOR 15 Hours

King Street Artworks is looking for a creative genius to join our team.

The person we are looking for will be warm, compassionate and able to relate to a wide range of people with a wide range of needs. They will also be adaptable, able to think on their feet, problem solve and willing to work across all media.

Ko koe he tangata te ahau maaakitanga te ahau mō ngā āwhina ngā tiapori whanau. KoKoe naho whakairo ki te mōhiotanga mō te whakoti rapanga, me ngā mea maha ō te Kaupapa mahi toi.

You will need to have (or agree to obtain) a Level 4 Mental Health and Well-Being certificate. (Free)

The hours will be:

Monday 8.30am - 9.45am (Staff Meeting)

Wednesday 3.45pm - 7.15pm (Twilight)

Thursday 9.45am - 3.15pm

Saturday 9.45- 2.15pm For a job description contact: Ian Chapman or Linda Tilyard email: kingst@kingstreetartworks.co.nz or phone (06) 378 9777

Please email your CV, letter of application, two referees and images from your portfolio to: kingst@kingstreetartworks.co.nz or drop it to our workshop at 16 Queen St, Masterton.

King Street Artworks is committed to working within the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is an equal opportunities employer. All staff are required to be police vetted and vaccinated.

Applications close: Nov 30th 2022 with a view to start late January/early Feb 2023 www.kingstreetartworks.co.nz

ST PATRICK’S SCHOOL OFFICE MANAGER VACANCY

St Patrick’s School is seeking an Office Manager to be the welcoming face for our community. You will enjoy working with children, staff & whānau within a supportive environment and wor k as part of a team to ensure the school office runs smoothly.

The start date will be Monday 30th January 2023.

This role is 32.5 hours a week during school term times with daily hours of 8.30am 3.30pm. Remuneration is in accordance with the Administration Support Staff in Schools Collective Agreement.

Key duties include:

• reception & communication

• general administrative duties

• financial management (XERO)

• payroll (Edpay)

• student Management system (E tap)

• assistance to Principal & staff when required

• assist with first aid when required

Applicants need to be able to:

• be willing to support the Catholic Character of the school

• be culturally appropriate in accordance with the principles of Te Tiriti O Waitangi

• multi task and show initiative

• demonstrate excellent verbal & written communication skills

• demonstrate a high level of IT skill and knowledge

• be discrete and maintain confidentiality

If this sounds like you and you believe you are flexible and able to keep smiling, in what is at times, a very busy environment, we would love to hear from you.

For more information about how to apply and a detailed job description, please contact the school office 06 377 5043 or office@stpatsmstn.school.nz

Applications close at 4pm 16th November 2022

There were signs of “the bug” when some 70 shearers and woolhandlers competed on Saturday as the Wairarapa A and P Show cranked back into action after two years of cancellations.

In the end, it was a nearly all-Wairarapa day in the open shearing and woolhandling finals, the only outsider being Southern Hawke’s Bay farmer and Scotland international Gavin Mutch.

A local victory looked on the cards in the open shearing final, with three Wairarapa shearers David Gordon, Matene Mason and Hemi Braddick making the cut, however, it was the 2012 world champion and 2015 Golden Shears champion Mutch who denied the local shearers victory.

Mutch reckoned it’s been 23 years since he last shore at the Wairarapa Show, but he made it a good one with victory. The win was Mutch’s second of the season, having won the Waimate Spring Shears Open title and having competed at five of the eight shows on the calendar so far.

Mutch was fastest in the 15-sheep final, completing the shear in 12 minutes 59 seconds. His final score of 50.4833, was two points clear of Gordon, with Mason third, and

Braddick fourth.

Masterton’s Cushla Abraham headed off Eketahuna sisters Ngaio Hanson and Marika Braddick in the open woolhandling final.

Abraham had already won the New Zealand Shears Merino title and been awarded one of two New Zealand team berths for a transTasman woolhandling test in Bendigo, Victoria on November 24.

Abraham also went within a pip of returning to the shearing board’s winning circle, when beaten by just

0.05 points in the intermediate shearing final.

Other local victories were in the novice shearing, won by Rosie Rooderkirk of Masterton, and the novice woolhandling, which was won by Emma Buick, daughter of New Zealand representative Pongaroa shearer David Buick, who has had to retire from shearing after being seriously injured in a farm accident.

The competition was also a good one for a small crew of younger competitors who made the 450km-plus trip from Gisborne to Carterton.

They went home with three wins, with Te Ua Wilcox claiming his first senior shearing title, Richmond Ngarangione adding the intermediate title, and Tira Ngarangione winning the senior woolhandling final.

2015 Golden Shears champion Gavin Mutch took the major honours in the Wairarapa A and P Show’s open shearing ÿ nal. PHOTO/FILE

Cushla Abraham won the open woolhandling ÿ nal at Clareville. PHOTO/FILE

Shearers compete in the ÿ rst Wairarapa A and P Show in three years.

PHOTO/JADE CVETKOV

Sport hall of fame launching

Chris Cogdale

Who would you select for a Wairarapa Sports Hall of Fame?

That’s something I’ve been pondering for many of my 30-plus years in media.

I finally got around to putting pen to paper two and a bit years ago at the height of the first covid-19 lockdown, which led to a phone call from Jason Osborne, chairman of the Wairarapa Sports Education Trust [WSET].

They had also been discussing the possibility of creating a Hall of Fame to recognise our rich sporting past and those individuals and teams who have significantly contributed to it.

After several meetings and a lot of research, the outcome is that the Wairarapa Sports Hall of Fame – Te Waka Hau Tangata o Wairarapa –will be launched at a gala event at the Carterton Events Centre on Saturday,

November 5.

The aim of the Hall of Fame is to celebrate, share, and preserve in history the achievements of the region’s sporting greats –the athletes, teams, coaches, officials, administrators, and media who have made an outstanding contribution to the sporting heritage of Wairarapa, as well as make the future generations aware of the sporting shoulders they stand on.

So where do you start?

My initial list started at 20 and soon increased to over 30, and the elite academy of judges, all with extensive sports knowledge, including a noted international commentator, were tasked with coming up with 12 inaugural inductees.

The judges had strict guidelines to work within, such as individuals must be retired at least five years from elite competition, although exceptions could

made for world champions and Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallists.

The teams need to be a Wairarapa-based representative or club side that achieved a high level of excellence, won a provincial or national event, or achieved a high placing at the international level, and be at least five years since their achievement.

Coaches, officials, administrators, and media must have made a significant contribution to sport in Wairarapa or brought recognition to

sport through achievement at national or international

So where would you start, bearing in mind the criteria restricts the inclusion of our most recent achievers?

To give you a clue, there are nine individuals, and three teams, with achievements ranging from this century right back to the 1920s.

There are obviously some givens such as one of New Zealand’s greatest golfers, and one of New Zealand sports absolute icons, but who else would make your cut?

From world champions, to Olympians, and decorated internationals, to major championship winners, and sporting pioneers, to those

achievements that captivated the Wairarapa public, there are many factors to ponder.

How does your list compare to that of the academy of judges?

Find out in person, and come along to the launch of the Wairarapa Sports Hall of Fame, and meet with some of Wairarapa’s sporting greats.

There are some outstanding achievements and the odd surprise.

• Tickets for the launch are only $95 and include a three-course meal, and are available on the Carterton Events Centre website.https:// www.cartertonec. co.nz/wairarapasports-hall-of-fame-tewaka-hau-tangata-owairarapa/

Sport

Terence